Abstract
In this study, five cyanobacteria strains (Alkalinema aff. pantanalense LEGE15481, Cyanobium gracile LEGE12431, Nodosilinea (Leptolyngbya) antarctica LEGE13457, Cuspidothrix issatschenkoi LEGE03282 and Leptolyngbya-like sp. LEGE13412) from the Blue Biotechnology and Ecotoxicology Culture Collection (LEGE CC) of CIIMAR were explored for their biotechnological potential in the treatment of psoriasis. Different extracts were characterized for their pigment profile by HPLC-PDA. The antioxidant potential of the extracts was assessed against the superoxide anion radical (O2•-). Their anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative potential was assessed in vitro using the macrophages RAW 264.7 and the human keratinocytes HaCaT as cell-line models, respectively. Terrestrial and freshwater strains presented the highest carotenoid content (33193−63926 μg/g dry extract), with all-trans-β-carotene, zeaxanthin, echinenone and lutein derivatives being the most abundant carotenoids. Acetone was the most effective solvent for pigment extraction. The acetone extracts presented the lowest IC50 values (0.29−0.38 mg dry extract/mL) regarding O2•- scavenging, and revealed anti-inflammatory potential, with N. antarctica LEGE13457, A. pantanalense LEGE15481 and Leptolyngbya-like sp. LEGE13412 reducing the nitric oxide (NO) in RAW 264.7 cell culture medium in about 25% (p < 0.05). With the exception of A. pantanalense LEGE15481, all the extracts significantly reduced keratinocyte proliferation (p < 0.05), demonstrating a selective toxicity among the different cell lines. Overall, Leptolyngbya-like sp. LEGE13412 and N. antarctica LEGE13457 seem promising for further exploitation in the framework of psoriasis, due to their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative potential.
Highlights
Throughout history, nature has been acknowledged as a primordial source of bioactive molecules, being able to meet human demands for the prevention and treatment of the most varied diseases
Acetone extracts were significantly richer in pigments, considering both carotenoids and chlorophylls (p < 0.05), than those obtained with ethanol, indicating acetone as the most effective solvent to meet the goals of the present study (Table 3, Figure 1)
The terrestrial strain N. antarctica LEGE13457 presented the highest content in carotenoids (63.9 μg/mg, p < 0.05), but was closely followed by the freshwater strain C. gracile LEGE 12431 (57.8 μg/mg) (Table 3)
Summary
Throughout history, nature has been acknowledged as a primordial source of bioactive molecules, being able to meet human demands for the prevention and treatment of the most varied diseases In this regard, higher plants have been explored for centuries, with dozens of species in well-recognized use in traditional medicine, and several plant-derived molecules being the basis of many pharmaceutical formulations that are marketed [1]. Higher plants have been explored for centuries, with dozens of species in well-recognized use in traditional medicine, and several plant-derived molecules being the basis of many pharmaceutical formulations that are marketed [1] This overexploitation of plant sources has, lead to a pseudo-stagnation in the discovery of new bioactive compounds of medical interest, causing the scientific community to extend their field into a broader spectrum of environments and organisms. The number of drugs reaching the market is still scarce, and there is low investment in new therapeutics for a significant number of diseases [4]
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